TKS Deicing STC for Kingair 350
TKS Deicing STC for Kingair 350
Is there an STC for the instalation of TKS anti-ice system for the Kingair 300/350.
The website says 100 different aircraft are approved but only lists smaller GA types.
The website says 100 different aircraft are approved but only lists smaller GA types.
Why would you want to replace an “unlimited” duration system (boots) as long as the engines are running with a “limited” duration system (TKS) that will only last a tank?
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Pergatory
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Zurich
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Pergatory
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
And that's the rub, it shouldn't require a lot of skill or experience to use it. It's not de-ice, it's anti-ice, and as you note you absolutely must be proactive to use it properly. Unlike a real jet, you can't just flip the switch and smugly watch ice disappear in seconds. Sure, it works, but it's hardly the ideal system that I'd want on a high performance aircraft, and especially a jet given the silly speed limitations inherent to the system...if you do recall that?
Having said that, I loved flying the Hawker. It's a great machine given its age and its handling characteristics are quite impressive, especially when you consider the lack of any added hydraulics or electrics to the primary flight controls (rudder bias excepted, of course.) The aerodynamically boosted controls are very well balanced; a wonder given their size, weight, and lack of complexity. Its ability to decelerate after landing without touching the brakes is something to behold; I wish every airplane behaved that way. It is easily the best hand flying airframe in its class, but the TKS system is undoubtedly one of the most hated systems from the many Hawker pilots I've spoken with over the years (especially if you routinely flew in areas of moderate icing, which we did.) The baggage size/placement is a close second.
Having said that, I loved flying the Hawker. It's a great machine given its age and its handling characteristics are quite impressive, especially when you consider the lack of any added hydraulics or electrics to the primary flight controls (rudder bias excepted, of course.) The aerodynamically boosted controls are very well balanced; a wonder given their size, weight, and lack of complexity. Its ability to decelerate after landing without touching the brakes is something to behold; I wish every airplane behaved that way. It is easily the best hand flying airframe in its class, but the TKS system is undoubtedly one of the most hated systems from the many Hawker pilots I've spoken with over the years (especially if you routinely flew in areas of moderate icing, which we did.) The baggage size/placement is a close second.
PPRuNe Handmaiden
The baggage size/placement is a close second.
The TKS was entertaining. Loved the expressions on our engineers faces when we said we needed a top up. They loved it.
Not.
TKS works fine in the Hawkersaurus as long as you use it often and use it early. Failing to do that is as bad as failing to keep the leading edges clean. A higher capacity tank and a universally accepted method of refilling it without spillage would have both be desirable though.
Boots on the other hand require somewhat less advance planning in order to use correctly. But read the King Air AFM regarding when and how to use them to achieve best results. The NTSB got it all wrong when they suggested some years ago (following a Citation crash in CO) that everyone should use pneumatic deicing boots in the continuous mode in all airplanes so equipped when in icing conditions. This is contrary to the AFM instructions and the certification testing that determined the nature of those instructions for several airplane types, including several models of the King Air.
The only time I ever lamented having hot bleed air anti-icing was during higher altitude icing conditions in the Lear 60. Like TKS systems, turning it on before collecting any ice is highly recommended, as shedding ice into the engines is best avoided. But it feels like you're dragging the anchor when both engine/nacelle and airframe anti-ice are dragging the thrust down. Selecting both systems ON will cause the FADECs to reduce the N1 schedule by a surprising amount even though the PW 305s typically seem to have plenty of ITT margin to to spare.
King Air boots work very well.
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: schermoney and left front seat
Age: 57
Posts: 2,439
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
King Air boots work very well.
OTOH the mighty KingAir is able to carry huge loads of ice, should the system fail. Don´t ask me how I know...
